HAPPISBURGH A Case Study of Coastal Erosion Happisburgh

HAPPISBURGH A Case Study of Coastal Erosion

Happisburgh needs your help! The wooden sea defences built in the late 1950 s have been falling into disrepair over the last few years. Large chunks of the clay/sandy cliffs are regularly falling into the sea. Over the last 15 years over 25 properties have been lost. Owners get no compensation. Even the houses that remain have been valued at approximately Euro 1. 20!!

Schemes for new defences over the years have all failed due to peoples’ objections. The uncertainty over the future shape of the coastline has had a terrible impact on the community. People feel trapped and abandoned. But there is hope - in March 2007 limited works were carried out by North Norfolk District Council to build on the emergency works carried out in 2002 when 4, 000 tonnes of rock were placed at the foot of the cliff and made a significant difference, but it wasn't enough. This time, more rock and a more 'engineered' solution intended to buy time for the village while a more sustainable long term solution to the situation is sought.

Why save Happisburgh? Happisburgh is home to over 850 people. Happisburgh is a national asset, both historically and architecturally. It has no less than eighteen listed buildings, including a 12 th Century church, the only privately run and maintained working lighthouse in the UK, and the Manor house. Happisburgh has a thriving, unique community with a church, village shop and post office, pub and school. Happisburgh has a good community spirit. This can be seen from the generations of sons and daughters who volunteer to man the local inshore lifeboat and coastguard team. Happisburgh is protecting the northern Broads. It bridges the gap between the hard defences to the south and north - a potential weak link in the chain of measures put in place to protect the low-lying northern Broads from flooding.

HAPPISBURGH: Coastal Erosion 1. Where is Happisburgh? 2. What is causing the cliffs to erode so rapidly at Happisburgh? 3. What effects is this having on the village and people of Happisburgh? 4. What has been done in the past to try and protect the village from erosion? 5. Why is this no longer working? 6. Imagine you are living in the house on the cliff, write a letter to the British Government to explain why Happisburgh should be protected.

Coastal Protection Options Seawall

Groyne

Revetment

Beach Nourishment

Offshore Breakwater/Reef

Coastal Protection Type of coastal defence Sea Wall Groyne Revetment Beach Nourishment Offshore breakwater/ reef How it works Advantages Disadvantages